Basic Microwave Risotto Recipes

Steps:

• Stir together the dried porcini and 1 cup of the chicken broth in a microwave-safe 2-cup or larger measuring cup. Microwave, uncovered, on high (at 100 percent power) until the broth is hot but not boiling, 1 1/2 minutes in an 1,100-watt oven or 2 1/2 minutes in a 700-watt oven. Let sit for 5 minutes. Remove the porcini pieces from the liquid with a slotted spoon, squeezing out excess moisture in the process. Chop the porcini coarsely. Reserve the chopped porcini and the porcini broth separately.
• Place the shallots, garlic, cremini and shiitake mushrooms, 2 tablespoons of the butter and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a microwave-safe 8-by-8-by-2-inch baking dish. Cover tightly with 2 pieces of plastic wrap; make a small slit in the center with the tip of a paring knife to vent excess steam. Microwave on high (at 100 percent power) until all the vegetables have softened, 5 minutes in an 1,100-watt oven or 9 minutes in a 700-watt oven. (When removing the plastic, be careful to avoid the hot steam.) If some of the vegetables still seem a little raw, stir and microwave again, covered, in 30-second increments.
• Add the rice to the baking dish, and stir to coat the grains. Add the white wine, 1 1/2 cups of the remaining chicken broth, reserved porcini broth (leaving the sediment at the bottom of the cup) and chopped porcini, thyme and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and microwave on high (at 100 percent power) for 8 minutes in an 1,100-watt oven or 10 minutes in a 700-watt oven. Stir the risotto, and add the remaining 1 cup chicken broth. Cover and microwave on high (at 100 percent power) until the rice is cooked but with the faintest bite in the center, 9 minutes in an 1,100-watt oven or 15 minutes in a 700-watt oven. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, Parmesan and parsley, and stir vigorously until creamy. At this stage, the risotto should be thick but pourable from a spoon; if it's too stiff, splash in more broth. Let sit, covered, for 2 minutes to rest and come together. Serve with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan on top.

Steps:

• Tip the onion and fennel into a bowl, toss in the oil and microwave on High for 5 mins. Stir in the rice, pour over the stock, cover the bowl with a plate and continue to microwave on High for 10-15 mins more or until the rice is just on the verge of being cooked.
• Throw in the seafood and peas, cover and continue to microwave on High for 2-3 mins until the rice is cooked. Stir in the parmesan and lemon juice and leave to stand for a moment while you mix the parsley with the lemon zest. Spoon the risotto into bowls and scatter over parsley and lemon zest.

Steps:

• Measure the rice into a large microwaveable bowl, then pour in the wine and a third of the stock. Cover with cling film, then microwave on High for 10 mins. Stir the rice, then add another third of the stock, re-cover and microwave again for 3 mins.
• Stir the rice again, then add the frozen veg, asparagus and the rest of the stock. Re-cover and microwave for 7 mins. Stir in the cheese and mint, then leave the risotto to stand for 2 mins before serving.

Steps:

• Tip the rice, onion and half the butter into a large microwave-proof bowl. Cover and cook in the microwave on High for 3 mins. Stir in the stock and passata, then continue to cook, uncovered, for 10 mins. Give it a good stir and mix in the tomatoes and mozzarella. Microwave on High for a further 8 mins until the rice is cooked and the tomatoes have softened.
• Leave the risotto to relax for a few mins, then stir in the remaining butter, parmesan and basil. Season to taste and serve straight from the bowl.

Steps:

• heat butter and oil in pie dish, uncovered for 2 minutes on hi.
• add onion, stir, cook for 4 minutes on hi.
• stir in rice to coat, cook 4 minutes on hi.
• mix saffron into broth, add to rice, cook on hi for 9 minutes.
• stir and cook on hi for 9 minutes more.
• let sit for a few mins, add salt, pepper and cheese.

Steps:

• Tip the rice into a large bowl, then add 500ml of the hot vegetable stock. Cover with cling film and microwave on High for 5 mins. Meanwhile, peel and cut the squash into medium chunks (see tip, below). Stir the rice, then add the squash and the rest of the stock. Re-cover with cling film, then microwave for another 15 mins, stirring halfway, until almost all the stock is absorbed and the rice and squash are tender.
• Leave the risotto to sit for 2 mins, then stir in the parmesan and sage. Serve topped with more grated cheese.